I Named My Mixed-Race Daughter for a Slave-Trading Town

Susan Fales-Hill describes the consequences of her discovery that her white ancestor was part of the slave trade and her daughter’s reaction to it. “I live the paradox that though my brown skin has excluded me from so called white privilege, all my life I have benefited from the plunder of privileged whites. . . . [M]y child demolished all of my excuses and reminded me that the truth of our family history, like our country’s, had always been hidden in plain sight. It’s our duty to seek it out.”

One Comment on “I Named My Mixed-Race Daughter for a Slave-Trading Town”

WOW, do I agree with Susan Fales-Hill that it is each of our responsibility and duty to seek the truth about racism… Denial is resistance to the truth. The truth will allow a platform for personal expansion. So, what is holding you back from expanding your intellect? How would learning the truth about slavery as well as the roles of white ancestors served in perpetuating racism… This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the roots of your beliefs about other people… And the opportunity to find a new path into self-discovery…